Automatic bag feeder



H. a. ALLEN 2,332,187

AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 Oct. 19, 1943.

14 Sheets-sheaf. 1

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Oct. 19, 1943.

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AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNE;

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AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTQR Jfoward 6.A {Zen H. G. ALLEN 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 \NVENTOR jz owa 7-6! 6. A lien BY %w W ATTORN Oct. 19, 1943.

AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25. 1940 H. G. ALLEN AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 Oct. 19, 1943.

14 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR flail/47d GAZZ'ZZ ATTORNE 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Oct. 19, 1943. H. a. 'ALLEN AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 INVENTOR jlf uard 6:14 [Z622 ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1943. H, G, ALLEN 2,332,187

AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 1O 1 a H 76-? l 4 24. fi

L L =7 i INVENTOR Oct. 19, 1943. ALLEN 2,332,187

AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR )[oward GfAZZerz ATTOR Oct. 19, 1943. H. e. ALLEN AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR ward 61146762:

Oct. 19, 1943. H. e. ALLEN AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR Ail inward fAzlerz ATTORE 2Y 0a. 19, 1943. H G, LL N 2,332,187

AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Filed July 25. 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTOR l fizg aw/ 6'. Allen Patented a. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC BAG FEEDER Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, N. Y., asslgnor to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, Buflalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 25, 1940, Serial No. 347,378

31 Claims.

vices have been developed which were so designed and constructed as to be an integral part of a nag-filling machine or the like. Naturally baghandling devices of this nature are limited in the uses to which they can be put by the limits of the machine with which they are combined.

. Thus a bag-filling machine designed for use in conjunction with a particular type of bag includes bag-feeding and handling means adapted for use with that type of bag only, and cannot therefore be used in handling other types of bags.

This invention provides novel bag-feeding and handling means which forms a complete and unitary structure capable of being used in conjunction with a number of bag opening and/ or filling machines and which is readily adaptable for use with bags of various sizes and types, but which does not form an integral part of such opening and filling machines.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide a fully automatic bag feeding machine which may be employed to feed bags from a supply stack to the bag receiving station of any opening and filling machine with which it is associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which may be readily adjusted to handle bags of diiierent sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine oi the character stated that is capable of uniformly feeding bags at a high rate of speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated that will withdraw a single bag from a supply stack, partially open the mouth thereof, transfer the partially opened bag from the station adjacent the supply stack to the bag receiving station of the associated opening and filling machine, and raise the partially opened bag into engaging relation with the bag opening devices of said opening machine.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which includes ejecting mechanism effective to reject any bags withdrawn from the supply stack more than one at a time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which employs novel bag transfer means including a. carriage laterally reciprocable between the supply station and the opening station of the associated opening machine. and vertically reoiprocable at the opening station of the associated opening machine to automatically apply a bag to the opening devices thereof.

with these and other objects in view, the nature of which will become more apparent, the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the drawings, the accompanying detailed description, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automatic bag feeding machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the bag filling machine and conveyor associated therewith being somewhat diagrammatically indicated ln their correct relative positions;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail section of the stack holder taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar section taken on of Fig. 1;

line 4-4 Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2, certain of the machine parts being omitted;

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 5-6 of FIG. 2;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 'l-'-| of Fig. 6 and looking towards the front of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 88 of Fig. 'l and shows the second step in withdrawing a bag from the stack;

Fig. 9 is a, view similar to Fig. 8, but shows the upper feed rolls coming into engagement with the bag end;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9, but shows the bag engaged by the feed rolls;

Fig. 11 is a detail section of the lower portion of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 10 and shows the ejection of two superposed bags;

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section taken on lin l2-l2 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line i3-i3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line ll-ll of Fig. I;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on line l5-l5 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on line lG-l 6 of Fig. '1;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section taken on line ll-I l of Fig. 7;

Fig. 18 is a somewhat fragmentary vertical section taken on line Iii-l8 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 19 is a view of the general nature of Fig. 18, but showing only the suction cup assembly;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail section showing the bag clamped to the bag opener of the associated opening machine;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken on line 2l-2l of Fig. 1, looking towards the front of the machine, and showing the carriage in its retracted position;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, but showing the carriage in its fully translated position;

Fig. 23 is a vertical section taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 6 and shows the cam actuating elements of the suction cup tilting mechanism;

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23, but showing the positions of the parts at the end of the carriage movement to the opening station;

Fig. 25 is a view similar to Figs. 23 and 24, but showing the positions of the parts at the end of the return movement and just prior to time at which suction cups engage a freshly presented a Fig. 26 is a vertical section taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 27 is a vertical section taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 28 is a vertical section taken on line 23-28 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 29 is a horizontal section taken on line 29-29 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 30 is a horizontal section taken on line 33-30 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 31 is a vertical section taken on line 31-31 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 32 is a vertical section taken on line 32-32 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 33 is a horizontal section taken on line 33-33 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 33A is a sectional view indetail showingthe bag in expanded condition.

Figs. 34, 35 and 36 are somewhat fragmentary detail sections of the latching mechanism;

Fig. 37 is a horizontal section taken on line 31-31 of Fig. 18, certain details of the mechanism being omitted;

Fig. 38 is a vertical section generally similar to Fig. 9. but showing a modified mechanism for selecting a bag from the supply stack:

Fig. 39 is a detail section taken on line 33-39 of Fig. 38. certain of the parts being omitted; and

Fig. 40 is a detail elevational projection taken on line 40-46 of Fig. 38, certain of the parts being omitted.

Referring to the drawings in detail the invention as illustrated is embodied in an automatic bag feeding machine A which is adapted to be positioned in cooperative relationship to a bag opening and filling machine indicated at B and a conveyor unit indicated at C for carrying of! the filled bags (see Figs. 1 and 2') In order that the structure and operation of the bag feeding machine A may be more clearly understood, the description thereof will be presented in four phases, namely, the mounting means and driving connections. the bag feedin mechanism. the bag cradle and transfer mechanism, and the operation of the machine as a whole.

Mounting means and driving connections The bag feeding machine in which this invention is embodied is supported as a. whole on a generally rectangular base i. A pair of standards 3 are mounted on one end of the base and are rigidly secured thereto through the use of flanged sockets I. The standards 3 support all of the driven mechanisms of the machine. A motor 3 is mounted on the base and drives a horizontal cam haft 9 through the medium of speed reducing belt or other drive generally indicated at 10. The shaft 9 is Journaled in spaced bearings I I adjustably mounted on the respective standards 6 and are rigidly maintained in alignment by a pair of vertically separated spacer bars 12-12 secured therebetween.

A pair of bag transfer cradle actuating cams l3 and M, respectively. are adiustably secured to the cam shaft 8 in spaced relation and are disposed intermediate the bearing II. A rock arm i6 has one end trunnioned on the lower spacing rod 12 and its other end pivotally connected to a vertically disposed link I6 connecting the rock arm with carriage transversing mechanism to be hereinafter more fully described. The rock arm I5 is provided with a roller cam follower 11 mounted intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with the cam 13. A second rock arm 18 has one end trunnioned on the upper spacing rod 12 and its other end pivotally connected to a vertically disposed link 19 connected to the rock arm and the carriage supporting devices to provide vertical reciprocation thereto, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The rock arm I3 is provided with a roller cam follower 20 mounted intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with the cam I4.

One projecting end of the cam shaft 9 is provided with a sprocket gear 21 which drives a second sprocket gear 22 through an endless sprocket chain 23. The sprocket gear 22 is fixed to a shaft 23 journaled in a bracket forming part of the bag feeding mechanism A and secured to the upper ends of the standards 6. The sprocket gears 21 and 22 are restrained from gyrations through the use of a spacer bar 25, the ends of which are provided with housings indicated at 26 and which are carried by the respective shafts 3 and 2-1. the shafts being freely rotatable relative thereto. Axial displacement of the respective housings 26 i prevented since the housings are retained between the respective sprocket gear and collars 21 fixed to the shafts with which the housings are associated.

The shaft 24 is also provided with another sprocket gear 23 rigidly secured thereto. The sprocket gear 28 drives a. main cam shaft 23 of the bag feeding mechanism through the medium of an endless sprocket chain 30 and associated sprocket gear 31 secured to the shaft.

A pair of feed mechanism supporting brackets 32-32 is adjustably secured to the upper ends of the respective standards 6, and each includes an upstanding panel portion 33 and a rearwardly extending panel portion 34. The rearwardly extending portions 34 are maintained in spaced paralle1 relation through the use of spacer bars,

-the locations of which will be hereinafter more fully described. The main cam shaft 23 is journaled in the panel portions 3| of the brackets 32 and positioned adjacent the upper ends thereof.

The panel portions 33 are further reinforced by a plate 35 spanning the space therebetween and secured to the upper edges thereof. The plate 35 supports a small motor 33 which drives a short shaft 31 located therebelow through the medium of pulley and belt connections generally indicated at 3B. The shaft 31 is iournaled at one end in one rear extension 34 of the mounting bracket 32 and at its other end in a bracket 33 rigidly secured and laterally spaced from one bracket 32.

A small pinion gear 40 (see Fig. 17) is fixed to the shaft 31 and meshes with a larger gear 4| fixed to an upper feed roll mounting shaft 42 journaled in the bracket portions 84 and disposed in front and slightly below the shaft 31. A lower feed roll shaft 43 is journaled in a pair of brackets 41- dependably secured to the lower portions of the rear extensions SI and maintained in rigid spaced relation by spacing elements 45 and centering elements It. The shaft ll is provided with a sprocket gear I! rigidly secured thereto and driven from a sprocket gear 48 rigidly secured to the shaft 42 through the use of an endless sprocket chain 49.

Bag feeding mechanism bracket extensions associated therewith.

A bag magazine generally indicated at is mounted on the brackets 32. The magazine ill includes a pair of spaced'parallei stringers 5|, 5|,

respectively secured to the upstanding portions 33 of the brackets 32 and are inclined upwardly. A plurality of rollers 52 are journaled in the stringers 6| and are disposed in spaced parallel relation along the length thereof to thereby provide supporting means for a stack of bags generally indicated at D. The sides of the magazine 5|! are formed from pairs or opposed upwardly projecting standards 53 secured to the stringers 5|. Each standard 53 supports a stack confining strap or bar 54 adjustably mounted thereon through the medium of relatively long spaced pins 55, 55 which are axially slidable in the standardwith which they are associated. Thus the bag confining straps 54 are movable towards and away from each other to accommodate bags of different widths. It should be noted that the lower ends of the bags supported in the magazine ill project beyond the lowermost supporting roller 52 in order that the bag ends may be individually engaged by feeding devices.

In Figs. 6, 8. 9 and of the drawings there are illustrated the steps of and mechanism for removing a bag D from the magazine 50 to the bag transfer cradle. The feeding means includes a bracket 86 adjustabiy clamped to a transverse rod 51 which forms one of the spacing elements maintaining the brackets 32 in parallel relation. The bracket 56 supports a suction cup bag selector 58 for withdrawing the end of the bottom bag in the stackinto position to be engaged by gripper jaws, and which includes a cylinder 59 in which a hollow rod 6| is slidably mounted. The rod is normally held within the cylinder by the action of a coil spring (not shown) and the outer end of the rod i provided with a suction cup 6|. Air is exhausted from the cylinder 59 through an outlet 62 located adjacent that end of the cylinder from which the rod 60 projects, thereby creating a vacuum within the cylinder of a magnitude sufficient to overcome the action of the spring and thereby project the rod 80 outwardly until the suction cup ii thereof contacts the bottom bag of the stack. This closes the opening in the rod The lower ends of the bags in the stack are normally prevented irom dropping by spring clips 53 resiliently mounted on. wing portions 54 or the bag magazine 50. The wing portions 64 are used to retain the lower ends of the stacked bag in proper lateral alignment. The stacked bags are maintained in proper'vertical alignment through the use of an abutment plate 85 against which theends thereof rest. I

Before the rod of the bag selector reaches fully retracted position. a gripper device is brought into engagement with the bag end preparatory to moving the bag into engagement with feed rolls. The gripper includes a bell crank 60 pivotally mounted on a bar 61 which also forms one of the spacing elements between the rear extensions 34 of the brackets 32. The bell crank is provided with an upstanding short arm 68 and a relatively long arm I! having a laterally extending gripper jaw 10 rigidly secured thereto or formed integral therewith. The arm 69 also carries a movable gripper jaw 1| pivotally connected thereto at a point intermediate its ends and which is adapted to cooperate with the stationary jaw III to grip the end of a bag presented therebetween. The other end of the movable jaw II is pivotally connected to the lower end of a rod I2. The upper end of the rod II is slidably engaged in a block 13 pivotally secured to one base apex point of a generally triangular shaped plate 14. The other base apex point of the plate 14 is pivotaliy mounted on the rod 81. A compression spring 15 is mounted on the rod 12 and interposed between the block 18 and an abutment annulus 16 secured to the rod near the lower end thereof. The upper end of the rod 12 is prevented from disengagement with the block 13 by nuts 'Il threadably engaged thereon.

The arm 63 of the bell crank is provided with a roller cam follower l8 engageable with an actuating cam 19 secured to the main cam shaft 29 to thereby provide oscillation of the gripper jaw assembly. Movement of the gripper Jaw 1| relative to the stationary jaw Ill is eflected through a roller cam follower 80 mounted on the triangular plate II and engageable with a cam 8| secured to the main cam shaft 29. Positive contact of the cam followers with the cams l9 and III is assured by provision of a tension spring 82 connecting the plate 14 and the end of arm 88, thus holding thebell crank 66 and the triangular plate H as a unit in any position to which they are moved by the cams.

In the position shown in Fig. 6 the cam follower I8 is riding the lower portion of the cam 19, while the cam follower it is riding the highest portion of the cam 8|. In this position the cam 19 functions merely as a stop to limit upward swing of the gripper jaws, while the cam 8| swings and equalizes the vacuum within the cylinder so .fer carriage and which will be later described in detail. It is of course obvious that more than one selector 58 may be employed if desired.

the gripper jaws upwardly and then causes additional movement of the triangular plate 14 to push the rod 12 downwardly through the medium of the compression spring 15 to thereby pivot the movable jaw 1| to the bag clamping position. Thus it is readily apparent that the tension spring 82 connecting the triangular plate 14 and the arm 68 of the bell crank permits differential movement therebetween which is effective to actuate the movable gripper jaw After the bag has been gripped the cam 19 turns the bell crank 66 clockwise to move the gripper jaws and the bag held therebetween downwardly into engagement with a stop 83. At this stage of the cycle the follower has ridden of! the high lift portion of the cam Ill and is drawn into engagement with the concave portion thereof thereby moving the swivel block 13 into engagement with the nuts 11 on the rod 12, and draws the rod upwardly against the spring 15 to open the gripper (see Fig. 8). Continued rotation of the cam 19 moves the arm 69 of the bell crank to the position shown in Fig. 9 Where the cam follower B9 rides the lowest lift portion of cam 8| and the gripper jaws are again closed.

During the retraction of the gripper after the bag has been released therefrom, the bag remains registered against the stop 93. The stop comprises a generally U-shaped stop element having the stop arms 83 formed integral therewith and extending upwardly in spaced parallel relation. The stop is fixed to a mounting boss 84 adjustably secured to a shaft 85 journaled in the rear extensions 34 of the main mounting brackets. One end of the shaft 95 projects beyond its associated bracket extension 34 and is P v ed w t a short lever 86 secured thereto (see Figs. 7 and 15). A second lever arm 81 of greater length than the arm 86 is secured to a shaft 98 journaled in the extensions 34 and is connected to the arm 89 by a link 89 joining the ends of the arms. The extreme end of the lever 81 is provided with a roller cam follower 99 engageable with a cam 9| secured to the main cam shaft 29. The shaft 85 is thus oscillated by the cam follower and link connections described to thereby swing the stop lingers 93 into and out of the path of travel of a bag entering engagement with the feed rolls.

A pair of knurled feeding rolls 92, 92 are secured to the shaft 42 in spaced relation and s disposed as to contact longitudinal edge portions of a bag presented thereto from the stack, and are opposed by a pair of idle rolls 93. 93 adapted to be brought into engagement therewith. The idle rolls 93 are journaled in bracket assemblies generally indicated at 94 which are secured to the shaft 89 journaled in the rear bracket extensions 34. Each bracket assembly 94 includes a bracket arm 95 (see Figs. 12 and 13), rigidly affixed to the shaft 89 and having an elongated aperture 99 formed adjacent the end thereof. An abutment shoulder 91 is formed adjacent the end of one side of the bracket arm and is provided with a stud 99 extending laterally therefrom. A compression spring 99 is mounted on the stud and retained thereon by nuts I99. A second bracket arm I9I is freely mounted on the shaft 88 and retained in a position adjacent the arm 95 as by a collar or other means, not shown. The bracket I9I carries a short shaft I92 which rotatably supports the idle roll 93, and on end of which projects into the aperture 96 of the arm 95. The bracket IN is provided with an arm I93 extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft 98, and the end of which fits over the stud 99 and is disposed intermediate the spring 99 and the abutment shoulder 91. Through the use of the mounting means as described for the idle rolls 93 the idle rolls are provided with some degree of self-adjustment to avoid any damaging pinching of the bag paper and to permit passage of any double deckers" to detecting and ejecting means, the nature of which will be hereinafter described. The spring 99 is normally adjusted to hold the arm I93 against the abutment shoulder 91 and thereby maintain the shaft I92 centrally disposed in the aperture 99. The two bracket arms 95 and IM normally move as a single unit. and relative movement therebetween takes place only when some abnormal situation arises, such as the presentation of double decker bags to the feed rolls.

The cam and follower connections 99 and 9| which actuate the stop 93 also affect oscillation of the shaft 98 in timed relation thereto to brin the idle rolls 93 into and out of engagement with the driven rolls 92 for timed feeding operations.

The bag is thus fed by the upper set of feed rolls 9!, 93 to a lower set of feed rolls located to present the bag to the bag traversing cradle assembly. As a bag leaves the upper feed rolls the longitudinal edges thereof are supported in grooved portions of opposed channel supporting members I94 having the lower ends I thereof secured to the inner faces of the feed roll mounting panels 44.

A pair of knurled feed rolls I96, I99 are secured to the driven lower feed roll shaft 43 in spaced relation and are disposed in position to engage the end of a bag presented thereto from the upper feed rolls, and are opposed by a pair of idle rolls I91, I91 normally engaged therewith. The idle rolls I91 ar carried by a shaft I99 journaled intermediate the ends of a pai of spaced brackets I99. The forward ends of the brackets I99 are pivotally connected to the feed roll mounting panels 44, and the rear ends thereof are supported by position-adjusting screws I I9 threadably engaged therewith and having their lower ends resting on the upper edges of the adjacent panel sections 44 (see Figs. 7, 10 and 15).

After the bag end passes between the lower feed rolls I99 and I91 it is received into a chute III defined by a pair of generally opposed guide plates H2 and I I9 pivotally secured between the mounting panels 44, and which deflects the path of travel of the bag downwardly into a receiver II4 preparatory to presentation to the associated bag opening machine B.

Control means are provided for automatically detecting and ejecting any double decker" bags that might accidently be withdrawn from the stack. In this connection the rearwardly projecting ends of the idle roll supportbrackets I99 are each provided with. an aperture through which an eye-bolt H5 extends, with the stern thereof projecting upwardly (see Fig. 15). The eye of the bolt H5 is pivotally connected to the free end of a lever arm II6 which is fixed to a rock shaft H1 journaled in the mounting panels 44 slightly below and to the rear of the feed rolls I06, I91. A plurality of bag deflecting fingers III! are secured to the rock shaft H1 in spaced parallel relation and project upwardly and forwardly against the direction of travel of the bags. The normal position of the fingers is in a plane out of the exact path of travel of the bags and this position is obtained by raising and lowering the free end of the lever arm IIE through the medium of adjusting nuts II9 engaged on the upper projecting ends of the eye-bolt 5.

Thus when a "double decker" is drawn from the stack and presented to the lower feed rolls during the cycle of feeding, the added thickness thereof will raise the idle rolls 191 an abnormal distance thereby also raising the brackets I99. The free ends of the brackets I99, by virtue of the specific mode of attachment of the brackets to the panels 44, will partake of a magnified upward movement, thereby drawing on the bolt I I5 and the free end of the arm H9 connected thereto upwardly to oscillate the rock shaft H1 in a. clockwise direction and move the ends 01' the deflecting fingers I I8 downwardly across the path of travel of the bags (see Fig. 11). The "double deckers" are thus elected out over the top of the deflecting plate I I2.

In the feeding of the bags formed from relatively light paper it may be found desirable to provide supporting means for the central portions of the bags as they are moved from the upper set of feed rolls to the lower set, such means include a pair of spaced parallel supporting bars I20, I20 secured to a mounting block I2I which is rigidly amxed to one spacer element 45 extending between the mounting panels 44.

Bag cradle and transfer mechanism The receiver III is a three-sided tapered structure adapted to retain bags presented thereto in proper registry with bag mouth opening elements forming part of the carriage structure, and includes front and rear walls 5' and H6 respectively, an end wall 1', and a bottom "3'. The front wall 5' is provided with mounting flanges H9 for fastening the receiver to a bracket I carried by the main supporting frame for the carriage. It should be noted that the width of the front and rear walls 5' and H6 is less than the width of the bag so that devices, the nature of which will be hereinafter described, can accurately register the bag against the end wall 1'.

The bag traversing devices as a whole are mounted on a supporting cradle generally indicated at E. The cradle comprises a right angle 7 supporting plate having a horizontal shelf portion I2I and a vertical wall portion I22. A pair of vertical spaced parallel angle beams I23, I23

- are secured to the front face of the wall portion I22 and are located near the central portion thereof. Each beam I23 carries a pair of laterally extending and vertically spaced roller mounting blocks I24 having faces I25, I26 disposed perpendicular to each other and provided with studs I2'I normal to the faces I and I26. A roller I23 is mounted on each stud I21 and is engageable with the main frame standard 6 associated therewith. Thus the supporting cradle E is carried by the standard 6 and is adapted for vertical reciprocatory movement therebetween.

The vertical wall portion I22 of the supporting plate carries a lower horizontal rearwardly extending shelf or bracket extension I29 supported by suitable braces as indicated at I30. The rear edge of the extension I29 is disposed in vertical alignment with the rear edge of the horizontal shelf portion I2I. The underside of the shelf I2I and the upper side of the extension I29 are respectively provided with rails I3I of square cross-section and mounted V-chocks I32.

Lateral traversing movement of a bag is provided through use of a second cradle assembly generally indicated at I33 and which is mounted between the horizontal rails I3I. includes a generally rectangular frame having a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal stringers I34 of square cross-section and a pair of vertically disposed spacing members I35 rigidly secured therebetween (see Figs. 6, l8, 20 and 22). Each stringer I34 is provided with horizontally spaced sets of guiding and retaining rollers I36 arranged in complementary pairs of studs I3'I angularly spaced 90 and engageable with the rails I3I to thereby rollably support the cradle I33 therebetween.

The upper ends of the spacing members I35 of the cradle I33 project upwardly and rearwardly to a line slightly above and to the rear of the upper stringer I34, and are provided with apertures through which a horizontally disposed rod I33 extends. The rod I38 constitutes the main supporting means for the parts attached to the cradle I33.

A bracket, I39 is mounted on the rod I33 and .carries a plurality of rearwardly extending suction cups I40 adapted to engage the top front wall portion of the bag D resting in the receiver H4. The suction cups I40 are mounted in bank formation and are connected to a source of vacuum through a flexible hose III and a control valve, the nature of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A second set of suction cups I 42' is adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the top rear face of the bag D and is mounted on the horizontally extending portion I44 of a vertically disposed mounting bar I43. The lower end of the bar I43 is secured in the rear end of a tilting lever I46 pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the lower end of a mounting strap I46 carried by the horizontal bar I33. The lower end of the strap I46 is maintained in rigid position relative to the frame of the cradle I33 by an angle brace [41.

The forward end of the tilting lever I45 is provided with a stud I46 having a roller cam follower I49 mounted thereon and adapted to be engaged in the slot of a plate cam assembly used as actuating means for the tilting bar I45 at properly timed intergals to bring the suction cups I42 into and out of engagement with the bag D and to partially open the mouth of a bag in conjunction with the suction cups I40. The forward end of the lever I45 is constantly urged downwardly by the action of spring and rod connections generally indicated at I50 and extending between the forward end of the lever and an angle beam I5I of the cradle frame.

The lower end of the mounting bar I46 may be provided with an angle piece I52 having a cap screw I53 threadably engaged in the flange thereof and which is adjustable to limit down- The cradle I33 Ward swing of the forward end of the tilting lever I45.

Oscillation of the tilting lever I45 is effected through the medium of a contour cam assembly generally indicated at I54 and with which the cam follower I49 is engageable.

The cam assembly I54 includes a rear main cam plate I55 secured to a bracket I56 dependably fastened to the horizontal extension I29 and spaced therefrom by spacer elements I51. It is therefore readily apparent that the cam assembly I54 is stationarily mounted on the main cradle assembly E, and that the traversing carriage I33 is laterally movable relative thereto. The cam plate I55 is provided with a main cam follower receiving slot I50 of the general contour necessary to provide the desired path of travel of the tilting bar I45 but of a width greater than the diameter of the follower I49 thereof.

The backing plate I59 carries a pair of spaced generally parallel upper and lower secondary cam plates I60 and I6I respectively which are rigidly secured thereto and spaced therefrom by spacer elements I62. The secondary cam plates I60 and I6I are respectively provided with oppositely directed slots I63 and I64 engageable with vertically spaced T-shaped blocks I65 and I66 mounted on stud bolts I61 and I63 secured to the cam'plate I55. Thus the secondary cam plates I60 and I6 I, together with the backing plate I59, are vertically reciprocable relative to the main cam plate I55. The secondary cam plate I80 functions to direct the path of travel of the cam follower I49 when the mechanism is in the position indicated in Fig. 23; and the secondary cam plate IOI functions to direct the path of travel of the cam follower I49 when the mechanism is in the position indicated in Fig. 24.

The cradle E is provided with 9, lug I58 secured thereto and pivotally connected to the lower end of a link I10. The upper end of the link I10 is pivotaily connected to one end of a lever I1I which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the cam plate I55 as at I12 and has its free end I19 engageable with an undercut shoulder I14 formed in one end of the secondary cam plate IN.

The secondary cam plates I50 and NH and the associated backing plate I59 are adapted to be maintained in raised position during a portion of the cycle of operation by a latch dog I15 normally disposed to one side of the T block I58, but adapted to rest on the upper face thereof. The dog I15 is rigidly and dependably secured to one end of an arm I18 pivotally mounted at I11 in the space between the cam plate I55 and the backing plate I59 and having an upturned end portion I18 adapted to be engaged and depressed by the cam follower I49. The end I18 of the arm I18 is constantly urged upwardly by the action of a tension spring I19 extending between a stud I80 secured to the arm I15 and a stud I 8| secured to the backing plate I59.

Application of vacuum to the sets of suction cups I40 and I42 is controlled through a valve assembly generally indicated at I82 (see Figs. '1, 14, 16 and 11). The valve assembly I02 includes a chambered casing I08 rigidly secured to one rear bracket extension 84 by bolts I84 and spaced therefrom by spacing elements I85. The casing I88 is provided with an upstanding lug having a bearing boss I85 formed integral therewith and adapted to pivotally support a pair of valve levers I81 and I88. respectively, located on opposite sides of the casing. The lower end of the lever I81 is provided with a slide valve I89 of the unbalanced D type, and the lower end of the lever I88 is provided with a similar valve 190.

The valve casing I 881s connected to a source of vacuum (not shown) by a hose I9I extending into open communication with a chamber I92 formed in the casing. The suction cups I40 and I42 are connected to the valve by the hose I4I extending into open communication with a chamber I98 formed in the valve casing; and the bag selector 58 of the feeding mechanism is connected to the valve by a hose I94 extending into open communication with a chamber I95 formed in the casing. The chamber I92 is operatively connected to the chamber I95 by the D valve I89 and is operatlvely connected to the chamber I98 by the D valve I90 (see Fig. 14).

Each of the valve levers I81 and I88 is constantly urged towards the forward limit of oscillation by means which include a rod I98 having one end pivotally secured to the associated lever and extending through an upstanding lug I91 formed on the valve casing I88. The projecting end of the rod carries a compression spring I98 mounted thereon and interposed between the lug I91 and retaining nuts I99 threadably engaged on the end of the rod I98.

The valve lever I81. is oscillated in opposition to its associated spring I98 through the medium of a cam follower 200 mounted on the upper end of the lever and engageable actuating cam 20I adjustably secured to the main cam shaft 29; and the valve lever I88 is oscillated in opposition to its associated spring I98 through the medium of a cam follower 202 mounted on the upper end oi. the lever and engageable with an actuating cam 208 adjustably mounted on the main cam shafts 29.

The cam 20I is comprised of two relatively adjustable plates movable'to vary the period of dwell oi the cam follower 200 in order to facilitate proper timing of the bag selector 58 in withdrawing bags from a stack and presenting them to the feed rolls. The cam 209 is provided with a long period of dwell in order that the suction cups I40 and I42 may be maintained in effective operation during opening of the bag mouth and transfer of the bag from the feeding station to the associated bag opening and filling machine.

The cradle I 88 is adapted to be horizontally traversed by mechanism which includes a bellcrank lever 204 pivotally secured at 205 to the frame of the vertically reciprocable cradle E and is provided with a short arm 205 and a long arm 201. A tension spring 208 has its upper end connected to the short arm 208 of the bell crank and its lower end adjustably secured adjacent one mounting flange 1 of the standard 8. The spring 209 constantly tends to move the bell crank 204 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 205 thereby attempting to move the upper end of the arm 201 thereof in a general left to right direction. A link 209 has one end pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 201 and its other end pivotally connected to the trave sing cradle I82. Thus lateral oscillation of the upper end of the arm 201 of the bell crank will effect a lateral reciprocation of the cradle assembly I88 to move a bag from the feed station to the opening station of the associated bag opening and filling machine.

The right to left movement of the cradle assembly I88 is effected through use of a sprocket chain 2I0 having its upper end secured to a collar 2i I fastened to one standard 8 and its lower end secured to the link I8. The sprocket chain 2 I0 is carried over a pair or sprocket gears 2I2, 2I2 rotatably mounted on the frame of the vertically movable crade E and is also formed into a bight intermediate the gears 2I2 which is engaged over a sprocket gear 2 I 8 rotatably mounted on the arm 201 of the bell crank 204 and located intermediate the end of the arm and the pivot 205. Thus if the link I8 is moved downwardly by action of the cam I8 on the rock arm I5, the bight of the chain 2I0 will be shortened and the sprocket gear 2 I 8 will be drawn to the left thereby pivoting the bell crank 204 counterclockwise and moving the upper end of the arm 201 thereof to the left and move the cradle I 88 to its starting position.

Operation It is believed that the description of the bag feeding mechanism from the supply stack to the receiver is sufliciently clear that it is unnecessary at this time to include a detailed description of the operation thereof.

Briefly, a bag D is withdrawn from the supply stack by the suction selector 58 and engaged by the gripper jaws 10 and 11 which are moved bodily to draw the bag downwardly into engagement with the stop fingers 88 and then releasing the bag. At this time the idle roll 88 is moved towards contact with the driven i'eed roll 92 for feed movement of the bag. Simultaneously the 

